McGRATH, Patrick

On his enlistment papers, Patrick stated he was born at Dungarvan, Ireland where his Mother was still living.  He was a thirty four year old Labourer at Inverell and claimed he had served five years with the Royal Navy and eighteen months with the Civilian Navy . He enlisted at Inverell on 10 January 1916, probably at the recruiting rally held just before the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs left the town together.  Patrick joined with these men on their journey to the Narrabri and Armidale Camps.

He became a member of the 33rd Battalion, A Company, which trained at Armidale and Rutherford prior to sailing from Australia in May 1916.  The Battalion arrived in England after nine weeks at sea, and further training was undertaken at Salisbury Plain. In mid September Patrick was transferred to the 1st Battalion but did not go to France until March the following year.  He was wounded in August 1917 and again In October.  The second wounding required his transfer to England where he was hospitalised at 1st London General Hospital, Camberwell with a gunshot wound to his knee.  Patrick was returned to Australia in March 1918  and medically discharged three months later. No further information is known about him.

Private Patrick McGrath is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll.